MLB NOTEBOOK: Braves, Freeman agree to 8-year deal

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have agreed to eight-year deal with first baseman Freddie Freeman that is worth about $125 million, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The person confirmed the agreement on condition of anonymity because the Braves haven’t announced the deal, which is subject to a successful physical.

Earlier Tuesday, outfielder Jason Heyward and the Braves agreed to a $13.3 million, two-year contract. Heyward and Freeman had filed for salary arbitration last month.

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Freeman, 24, was an All-Star last year, when he hit .319 with 23 homers and 109 RBIs. He matched his career high in home runs and set highs in batting average and RBIs. He has topped 20 home runs in three straight seasons.

Closer Craig Kimbrel would be the Braves’ only player left in arbitration.

Heyward, also 24, and Freeman are key members of the Braves’ core of young stars. Kimbrel, shortstop Andrelton Simmons, outfielder Justin Upton and starting pitchers Julio Teheran and Mike Minor are 26 or younger. Evan Gattis, 27, is replacing Brian McCann as the starting catcher.

Heyward was happy to avoid arbitration.

“In my head it basically says to me, let’s go play some baseball,” he said.

Heyward is coming off an injury-filled season, and general manager Frank Wren said the relative lack of playing time complicated the arbitration process and helped make the two-year contract possible.

Heyward hit .254 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs in a career-low 104 games during his fourth season with the Braves. He had an appendectomy on April 22 and broke his jaw on Aug. 21 when he was hit by a pitch from New York Mets left-hander Jon Niese.

“Last year was such a tough year physically, through no fault of his own, with the appendectomy and getting hit in the face,” Wren said. “So it also made it tough for both sides in an arbitration situation because it’s hard to pin a number when you’re comparing to players who played a lot more.”

Heyward said he has moved past his injuries.

“Physically, I feel great, being 24 years old and being blessed with some genetics to go along with that,” he said. “I’m growing up still in this game and I’m looking forward to what my body is going to allow me to do going forward.”

Heyward’s deal calls for a $1 million signing bonus, payable in equal installments on May 1 and July 1, and salaries of $4.5 million this year and $7.8 million in 2015.

The 2015 salary would escalate based on a points system for 2014 accomplishments, going up $500,000 for 20 points and then by $25,000 for each additional point. Heyward would earn 10 points each for 502 plate appearances, All-Star game selection, a Gold Glove award, a Silver Slugger award and finishing 11th-to-20th in MVP voting. He would receive 15 points for 6th-to-10th in MVP, 25 points for third-to-fifth and 35 points for first or second.

Heyward enjoyed his best season in 2012, when he hit .269 and set career highs with 27 homers, 82 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

Heyward’s injuries did not prevent him from showcasing his versatility. A 2012 Gold Glove winner in right field, Heyward started 20 games in center last year.

He spent most of the season hitting second in the order before he was moved to the leadoff spot by manager Fredi Gonzalez on July 27. Over his next 22 games, Heyward hit .349 with five homers, 15 RBIs and 23 runs.

Jeff Baker agrees to deal with Marlins

MIAMI — A person familiar with the situation says infielder-outfielder Jeff Baker has agreed to a $3.7 million, two-year contract with the Miami Marlins.

The person confirmed an agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the Marlins hadn’t announced a deal.

Baker batted .279 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs in 74 games for Texas last season. The Marlins will be the sixth team for the nine-year veteran, who is a .267 career hitter.

Baker has played first, second and third base, as well and left and right field.

Farnsworth agrees to minor league deal with Mets

NEW YORK — Reliever Kyle Farnsworth has agreed to a minor league contract with the New York Mets and will report to spring training as a non-roster player.

The 37-year-old right-hander was 3-1 with two saves and a 4.70 ERA in 48 games last year with Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, which signed him in August after he was released by the Rays. His fastball averaged 95-98 mph early in the season, according to fansgraphs.com, then dropped to 92-96 mph later in the year.

Farnsworth would get a $1 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster and could earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses. He could make $500,000 based on games: $75,000 each for 40, 45, 50 and 55, and $100,000 apiece for 60 and 65. He also could earn $1 million based on games finished: $100,000 each for 30 and 35, $250,000 apiece for 40 and 45, and $300,000 for 50.

Farnsworth has a 43-63 record with 54 saves and a 4.26 ERA and 945 strikeouts in 960 innings. He’s pitched for the Chicago Cubs (1999-04), Detroit (2005, 2008), Atlanta (2005, 2010), the New York Yankees (2006-08), Kansas City (2009-10), Tampa Bay (2011-13) and Pittsburgh (2013), and had a career-high 25 saves for the Rays in 2011.